shan

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Cool Crazy Friends

I have this crazy cool friend who I'll call X. X and I have been friends now for about 15 years. I can almost always count on X for a good laugh and a refreshing take on life.
Yesterday X and I were having a conversation. We discussed summer plans, health, fitness, kids, school, general chit chat before the conversation got really, really juicy. Our conversations tend to be like that, general stuff with random bombs thrown in. Keeps me on my toes. Nope. I can't give you the details. It's not even that X would mind. X is totally proud of this latest adventure, but's it's a code of silence thing with me. For the sake of this post I'll tell you that what X did was not wrong, nor did it break the law. Further, one would have to let go of ALL inhibitions to do it. I have to confess compared to this friend I am an absolute wallflower. X lives unashamedly out loud, then tells me all the details, and in some cases sends me the pictures. After our conversation ended, the shock wore off, and the giggles went mostly away, I started thinking about my friends. It's truly a very odd mixture of people. The interests and tastes among them are as different as can different can be. I am grateful for them all. For the calm, cool and collected ones, and for the crazy, cool ones too. If you have true friends you are blessed. If you have crazy, cool friends your life will never be dull. And if you can't think of any crazy cool friends, then you are probably that person :)

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

"Meanwhile Back at the Ranch..."

I love that phrase. I've used it to refer back to a topic of importance, or to end an inappropriate one ;) I've been doing a lot of "referring back" lately. About a week a half a go an ice storm came through our area. It took out quite a few trees in my yard, and neighborhood. It also took the power with it. After being without electricity (in winter) for nearly four days we got it back. Well sort of. It shuts on and off at will. Despite my frustration with, the city, home owners insurance, no electricity and the ramifications that goes with it, I'm grateful. I've been reminding myself that "meanwhile back at the ranch" there are those who have never had electricity. At least the days we lost power were mostly mild. Above all, storm damage to property pales in comparison to lost of lives and injuries. Gotta tell ya, remembering what's most important, keeps me from being anxious over what is less important. It's easy to get worked up over what is currently not working in life, but "meanwhile back at the ranch" there is much, much, MUCH to be thankful for.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

God won't Give You...

There is this quote floating around out there, "God will never give you more than you can handle." OK, just for clarity that statement is nowhere in the Bible. I think it sounds good, so people keep repeating it. Kinda like the "cleanliness is next to godliness" thing. God does tell us that He won't let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, but that's not the same thing. I think He gives us a lot more than we can handle. He then helps us "handle it." He's pretty clear that we are "more than conquerors" in Him, and that we can do all things through Him. Not a debate, just my thoughts. That's not even the point of this post.

Yesterday someone told me that they were out working in the yard one morning after working an "all nighter." The neighbor saw it, and knowing their schedule expressed concern over the fact that the person should be resting not working. The individual explained to the neighbor that the work needed to be done. No one else had the responsibility of the work. The person tried to ease the neighbor's concern by offering "God won't give me more than I can handle right?"

The neighbor's response: "Don't handle more than God gives you." It cracked me up! I appreciate a quick thinker, and a witty response, but I couldn't help but acknowledge the raw truth in the comment. How many things do we do by our own will/volition/choices then blame God? Too many. Essentially we "bite off more than we can chew" then claim "God doesn't give..." I for one needed to be reminded to be smart about the things I busy myself with.

If you'd like to look that verse up, it's 1 Corinthians 10:13. Ask yourselves how does that quote square with Romans 8:37. I think I just gave you guys homework. Blame it on Homeschooling :)

Monday, March 3, 2014

February's First: Living my Dreams

I've dabbled in poetry writing since childhood. The person who sorts my effects after I'm gone will be overwhelmed by the amount of thoughts and lines I have written in journals and on random pieces of paper. Sorry.

In keeping with my resolve to accomplish or pursue something of meaning to me monthly, in February I attended (for the first time) a poetry Slam. I've wanted to do something like this for years! This one was particularly exciting. It was held at the library which meant I could somewhat count on "clean creativity/content" It was also geared toward teens, so bonus I took my teen with me. She's a bit of a "reluctant" poet. It was cool to expose her to something new. We didn't get to view many of the performers. The show was running late. We had some place we wanted to be, but the experience of it was definitely one I'd like to try again.

Next time who knows? Perhaps an open mic night without the teenager. I might even get up and read a few lines...

About Me

I struggled with the decision to blog. But honestly, an avenue like this, is an irresistible temptation to a would be writer. Eventually they will cave.
With the decision to blog came the question, "what do I write about?" I'm not a "know it all." It came to me, that there are only two things I know well. I know love. I know truth. I've experienced both on the most powerful, and trivial of levels. No matter the message,rant, rave or review, it will be the truth, motivated by love. I hope that hearing it in my voice, adds something new to the conversation.
That said, this is a great way to journal my life. I stink at keeping a journal of the book variety. Yes, I love to write, but it's different somehow.
I share life with a no adjective to describe that level of amazing, sort of man. I get to call him husband. We have two lovely daughters. The girls are eleven, and (gasp) 15 months old. I'll have a lot to say here. I'll try not to write anything I don't want my girls to read. I want to truly reflect my God. He is the source of everything good in me. He's the ultimate example of, and has taught me all I know, about love, and truth.
Thanks for stopping by. Hang out a while.